Hook, line and sinker

'Fishing for the Dream' tournament lures in funds to help families heal

Deliver the Dream, a South Florida-based nonprofit that organizes retreats for families experiencing a serious illness or crisis, will be hosting its third annual "Fishing for the Dream" family fishing tournament.

The event is set for May 31 and June 1 at The Lighthouse Point Yacht and Racquet Club.

Proceeds from the tournament will go directly to Deliver the Dream's Family Retreat Program that helps families who have a child or a parent living with a life-changing medical issue, such as cancer, autism, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis and HIV.

"We raised more than $34,000 last year that directly funded our Family Retreat Program and everyone really enjoyed all the festivities," said Paul Withrow, executive director. "We are thrilled to be able to put the tournament on this year and look forward to it growing every year."

The tournament will kick off May 31, with a Captain's Party and silent auction from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lighthouse Point Yacht and Racquet Club.

Lines go in June 1 at 7 a.m. as anglers fish for dolphin, kingfish, wahoo, cobia and tuna. Boats must be visually checked in by 2 p.m. for weigh-in at the Lighthouse Point Yacht and Racquet Club. Prizes include first, second and third place ($2,500, $1,500 and $1,000 respectively); top male angler, top lady angler and top pee wee angler.

Participants and their families will enjoy a post-tournament barbecue dockside at the Yacht Club from 2 to 5 p.m., an awards ceremony and the conclusion of the silent auction.

Tournament entry is $550 and includes four anglers, four tickets to the Captain's Party and eight tickets to the barbecue. Additional anglers are $150 and include a ticket for the Captain's Party and barbecue. To register, call 954-564-3512.

Deliver the Dream Inc. is a nonprofit respite and retreat program that serves families facing serious illness or crisis by helping them to enhance coping skills, reduce stress and cultivate relationships. Deliver the Dream offers retreat weekends, which combine traditional recreational activities like hiking and fishing, with therapeutic workshops, peer-to-peer discussion groups and expressive arts and music activities. The retreats are provided at no cost to participants. Nearly 6,000 family members throughout the Southeast have attended a Deliver the Dream weekend since retreats began in the Fall of 2002.